Smokies Cuisine Satisfies All Palates
By Leif Palmer
Posted on January 10, 2018
What is it about winter that makes us want to eat more? I guess it's something hard-wired into our brains that instinctively makes us want to fatten up so we can stay warm during the cold weather. Oh well, if it's part of our nature to eat more in winter, who are we to argue, right?
At least if you're bound to pack on a few extra pounds this winter, you can enjoy the experience here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Our communities boast literally hundreds of eateries stretching from Sevierville to Gatlinburg, and there's enough of a selection to accommodate almost any travel budget and any preference for style of cuisine.
You'll find some two-dozen pancake houses alone, giving you plenty of options for starting your day off on a sweet note. For example, Crockett's Breakfast Camp, located on the Parkway in the heart of Gatlinburg, is just one spot where you can order not just pancakes but a wide variety of traditional morning dishes – everything from omelets to breakfast bowls to country ham. It's also handy to most of our Gatlinburg parking lots downtown.
For lunch, take your pick of any number of locally owned and national chain restaurants, featuring everything from barbecue and pizza to Southern cooking and ethnic cuisines (Mexican, Asian, Indian… You name it!). Eateries like TGI Friday's, Bones Barbecue and Chipotle are known for their hearty, satisfying menus, which collectively deliver a broad range of American and south-of-the-border favorites. For dinner, options include places like The Park Grill, The Peddler Steakhouse, Joe's Crab Shack and The Melting Pot. From steak to seafood to fondue, you're bound to find a meal that pleases in the Smokies.
And don't forget about eateries that offer more than just food. Blaine's Bar & Grill is known for its nightlife, and if you want to combine dining with entertainment, consider catching the show at Dolly Parton's Stampede, a Pigeon Forge dining attraction where the entertainment is nonstop and the down-home-style menu is guaranteed to satisfy. This popular production showcases a talented cast of performers and 32 magnificent horses, all of which take part in a friendly competition between the north and the south.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.